Understanding Rent Assistance: Who Can Get It and How It Works

Rent Assistance is a government support payment available to those who pay rent and receive specific social security benefits. Here's a breakdown of who qualifies and how it works:

Who Can Get Rent Assistance?

You may qualify for Rent Assistance if you’re paying rent and receiving one of the following payments:

Age Pension, Carer Payment, or Disability Support Pension

ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Austudy, or Youth Allowance

Special Benefit

Family Tax Benefit – Part A (more than the base rate)

Parenting Payment (partnered or single)

JobSeeker Payment or Farm Household Allowance

Additionally, you need to pay one of the following types of accommodation costs:

Rent

Fees in a retirement village

Lodging or board and lodging

Site or mooring fees for your main home (if it's a caravan, relocatable home, or boat)

You must also pay more than a specific amount of rent each fortnight. The amount of Rent Assistance you receive depends on how much rent you pay.

Community Housing Rent Assistance

If you have a lease with a community housing organization, you may be eligible for Rent Assistance. Community housing often provides services for:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Disability accommodation

Refuges or rehabilitation centers

Student accommodation

Special needs housing, as assessed by state and territory authorities

Defence Housing

If you live in Defence Housing Australia accommodation, your Rent Assistance is calculated based on the rent you pay. For those receiving Temporary Rental Allowance, Rent Assistance is based on your rent minus the subsidy.

Retirement Village Residents

If you live in a retirement village, we assess your eligibility as either a home owner or non-home owner, depending on the amount you paid when entering the village. If you are classified as a non-home owner, you may qualify for Rent Assistance based on your ongoing fees.

Special Rules for Young People

Some young people receiving payments like ABSTUDY, Disability Support Pension, JobSeeker, or Youth Allowance have specific rules regarding Rent Assistance, particularly if they live with a parent or guardian.

Who Can’t Get Rent Assistance?

You won’t qualify for Rent Assistance if:

You own or are buying the home you live in (except relocatable homes)

You’re away from your home for less than 12 months

The government subsidizes the aged care facility where you live

Your partner receives Rent Assistance through Family Tax Benefit

You rent from a state or territory housing authority

Housing Authorities by State and Territory

In Australia, each state and territory has a government housing authority. If you're leasing from one of these authorities, you're not eligible for Rent Assistance. These authorities include:

ACT: Community Services Directorate – Housing ACT

NSW: Department of Communities and Justice

NT: Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities

QLD: Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy

SA: Department of Human Services – SA Housing Authority

TAS: Department of Communities Tasmania

VIC: Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (or Transitional Housing Management program)

WA: Department of Communities – Housing Authority

Understanding the eligibility criteria and accommodation types is crucial in determining whether you qualify for Rent Assistance. Be sure to check the specific requirements based on your living arrangement and payment type to ensure you're receiving the correct support.